General: - De-clutch when starting the engine? - Page 3

Andy Northface · Apr 4th, 2012, 09:40

I always start up with the clutch pedal down. I drive old heaps as well!

Marty Dolomite · Apr 4th, 2012, 10:14

On modern cars it won't make any differnce to the thrust bearing and in some you have to depress the clutch or the car won't start, PC's advice is a bit flawed because some older car, i.e early BL, some triumphs and other it is adviced (by the manufactuers) to depress the clutch to take some strain off engine as you said because of the bendix etc and wek clutch components, where some manufactuers adviced not to dip the clutch.

I always dip the clutch for the simple reason is do you know for sure the car is out of gear,I drive several diifferent vehicles everyday and not all have a firm gearlever so it is good practice to dip everytime.

Bill_56 · Apr 4th, 2012, 15:39

Thanks for the responses everybody, glad to see there seems to be pretty unanimous agreement that I'm doing the right thing. I don't often buy PC, but picked one up to read on a flight last week. That piece has been niggling me ever since, but I shall continue to depress the clutch, as I have always done, with a completely clear conscience.

I actually HATE starting a car without pressing the clutch, such as when doing some maintenance on it, and just want to reach in and turn the key. I find myself wiggling the gear stick so many times, just to make 101% certain that it's in neutral, and then to check again and again just for good measure, that the wear and tear from surplus wiggling may almost become a greater concern than the thrust bearing. Joking of course, but all the same...

stephend · Apr 4th, 2012, 15:53

Quote:

I actually HATE starting a car without pressing the clutch, such as when doing some maintenance on it, and just want to reach in and turn the key. I find myself wiggling the gear stick so many times, just to make 101% certain that it's in neutral, and then to check again and again just for good measure, that the wear and tear from surplus wiggling may almost become a greater concern than the thrust bearing. Joking of course, but all the same...

+1 to that: I'm exactly the same! It's just such an ingrained habit ...

Apr 4th, 2012, 09:40	#21
Andy Northface Where's that 18mm socket? Last Online: Apr 25th, 2016 23:01 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Normally in the dog house, Chester-Le-Street	I always start up with the clutch pedal down. I drive old heaps as well!

Apr 4th, 2012, 10:14	#22
Marty Dolomite Premier Member Last Online: May 25th, 2024 12:10 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Southampton	On modern cars it won't make any differnce to the thrust bearing and in some you have to depress the clutch or the car won't start, PC's advice is a bit flawed because some older car, i.e early BL, some triumphs and other it is adviced (by the manufactuers) to depress the clutch to take some strain off engine as you said because of the bendix etc and wek clutch components, where some manufactuers adviced not to dip the clutch. I always dip the clutch for the simple reason is do you know for sure the car is out of gear,I drive several diifferent vehicles everyday and not all have a firm gearlever so it is good practice to dip everytime.

Apr 4th, 2012, 15:39	#23
Bill_56 Premier Member Last Online: Oct 29th, 2021 23:58 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Over the hill	Thanks for the responses everybody, glad to see there seems to be pretty unanimous agreement that I'm doing the right thing. I don't often buy PC, but picked one up to read on a flight last week. That piece has been niggling me ever since, but I shall continue to depress the clutch, as I have always done, with a completely clear conscience. I actually HATE starting a car without pressing the clutch, such as when doing some maintenance on it, and just want to reach in and turn the key. I find myself wiggling the gear stick so many times, just to make 101% certain that it's in neutral, and then to check again and again just for good measure, that the wear and tear from surplus wiggling may almost become a greater concern than the thrust bearing. Joking of course, but all the same...

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